Signal-lantern.



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APPLICATION FILED Nov. 6. uns.

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ALFRED A. ZIEGLER, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNAL-LANTERN.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led November 6, 1915. SerialNo. 60,105.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED A. ZIEGLER, a citizen of the United States, residingat Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Signal-Lanterns, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to electric illuminating units, and is intended as an improvement on the device of Letters` Patent #1,173,239, dated Feb. 29, 1916, granted to me. l l

@ne of the objects of the invention is to improve the construction and arrangement of the lamp-block, and associated members, so that said block with its associated members, may be assembled as a unit and applied` to or removed from the base-block.

Another object is the provision of binding-posts for the leading-in wires, and means associated with the lamp-block for supporting one or both binding-posts.

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of passages in the base-block for the circuit-wires which lead to the lamp-sockets.

Referring now to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric railway signal lantern embodying my invention, the door of the casing being raised to disclose the manner in which the lamps and associated parts of the illuminating unit are arranged therein.

Fig. 2 is a detail view, in side elevation, of the lamps, supporting means therefor and automatic circuit-controlling means for the lamps.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 Fig. 3. y

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view ofthe lamp block.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6`of Fig. 5. y

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of one of the binding` posts. l

Fig. 9` is a diagrammatical view of the circuits employed in the Inodied form of the invention, shown in Fig. 7.

Primarily, my invention involves animproved electrical illuminating unitbut, in order that the use of the device may be understood, l have herein illustrated the same as applied to a railway signal-lantern, asin is a section on the line of the aforesaid application. This lantern includes a casing or housing A, having a sliding door B, and a lens C, and an electric illuminating unitzD, arranged in the casing A.. Said unit comprises two lamps L and La,

Patented J an. 7, 1919.

adapted to be placed in lamp-sockets ar-` ranged on a lamp-block F, which is removably. mounted on afbase-block E, an associated automatic circuit-controlling mechanism G, for the lamps being also mounted on the base-block, and so arranged that in the event 0f failure of one ofthe lamps, the other is instantaneously and automatically introduced into the lighting-circuit.

, The base-block E, usually of wood, is here shown as, rectangular in general outline, and ashere shown a pair of upwardly converging passages 10 and 11 are formed therein to accommodate the circuit-wires which lead to the binding-posts. The passage 11 extends froml a point at the approximate center of the bottom-face of the block to the upper face thereof and adjacent one end, being located between the binding-posts H and K. The other passage `10 leads from one corner of the block into the passage 11 adjacent to the upper end thereof.` y

The lamp-block F, of insulating material, is here shown as rectangular in general outline, and composed usually of porcelain. ln the upper face of the lamp-blockiare arranged two lamp-sockets 12, see Fig. 4. The upper end of each ofthe sockets is or may be defined by an annular lip 13. The bottom face of the lamp-block is providedv with a pair of substantially L-shaped grooves 14- and 15, `wherein are seated, or otherwise arranged, conductor-strips 16 and 17.

The transverse portion of the groove 15 has a relatively deep recess 18, see Fig. 6, wherein is arranged an offset portion 19 of the conductor-strip 17, said 4offset portion enabling the two conductor-strips `to intersect upon the bottom of the block without engaging each other; and an attachingscrew 21 extends through the block and offset-portion to attach the strip thereto. One end of the ,strip `1'? extends transversely along the underside of theblock and is upturned at the rear side thereof, and bears a binding-screw 21ab for a circuit-wire. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, both strips are extended laterally from the block and `are attached at their extremities tothe base-block `by screws or other means. There is an oli'- `set-portion 20 formed in each extension, near y its extremity, adapted to receive the head of the screw of a binding-post, which posts are indicated at H and K, so that said posts may be associated with the block.

The strip 16 is attached to the block by a pair of contact-screws 22 and 23, the heads of which are located in the bottoms of the lamp-sockets 12, see Fig. 4, so that not only isthe strip held in place but is electrically connected to one terminal of both of the lamps. Said screws extend downwardly through the lamp-block and base-block and Y termmate in recesses 24, and receive upon them nuts 25 which are concealed by insulating sealing means.

The screws 22, 23, are insulated from the' metallic'socket-sleeves 27, by insulating gaskets 28. Metal washers 29 may be interposed between the gaskets and the heads of the screws. As terminal-connectors for the other side- Yof the lamps, the metallic sleeve-members 27 and 27a, have ears 30, which extend laterally through openings 31 in the sockets', and bear binding-screws for the circuit-wires, as shown in Fig. 3. In the sleeve of each lamp-socket, is a removable spring contact-element indicatedV at 32.

The modified form of my invention shown in' Fig. Y7 is' similar in general construction to the preferred embodiment, except as toV the arrangement of the lamp-block 70 upon the-base of the supporting-member 71, and the arrangement of the binding-posts and conductorstrips thereof. The lamp-block 7 0,'wherein are formed the lamp Vsockets 72 and 7 3, similar to the sockets12 and 13, is mounted longitudinally upon the base 71 and extends in right angles to the conductor-frame 74 in which .the automatic circuitcontrolling means, generally designated by the letter m, is mounted. )n opposite sides of the' block 70 are. disposed theV bindingposts 75 andV 7 6, which members are similar to the binding-posts of the preferred form and Yare'secured by screws or equivalent fastening-'means 77.v The binding-post 76 is electrically connectedgto the conductor-plate 78, which is equivalent` to theY conductorplate 39, by'a Ywire v7 9, the conductor-strip 17 being absent in this modified form of the invention.Y A conductor-strip, indicated at V80", whichis .similar to the member 16 and is secured in" therlamp-blockv 7 0 in asimilar manner, Velectrically *connects the bindingpost75 with the Vcon'duct'or-screws4 of the sockets 7 2* and 73. The conducting strips 81 andy 82 ofthe sockets 72 and 73 are re- 1 sped-way Connected bylWia-.S se 'and 'si to the plate 78 and the conductor-'frame 7 4.

The operation .ofv the modifiedv form' of Figi 7l willV be readily appreciated upon'refference to thelwiring diagram of Fig. 9'. Thebinding-posts H, K75, Yand 76, are

. Y Vfall, as stated, ofV similar construction, and

l `sa 1 arret preferably ofV the ftype illustrated in the detail in Fig. 8. As shown in this figure, the binding-post includes a base-plate 85, the intermediate portion of which is offset or bent into a substantially U-shaped loop 86, wherein the head 87 of the screw 88 is seated, and through which the screw passes upwardly. A bottom nut 89 is set upon the screw, and upon this nut are disposed a pair of washers 90, and above said washers clamping nuts 91 and 92 are arranged.

I claim l. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block thereon, a lamp-socket arranged on the lamp-block, a conductorstrip attached to the lamp-block and supported thereby and electrically connected to the lamp-socket, one end of said strip being extended laterally from the lamp-block, above the base-block and detachably secured, at its end thereof, to said base-block, and a binding-post connected to the laterally extended end of said conductor-strip intermediate its length, said lamp-block, conductor-strip, and binding-post being assembled as a unit, and arranged on said base-block.

2. In an electric illuminating-unit, a basebloek, a lamp-block, lamp-sockets arranged on the lamp-block, a conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and electrically connected to the sockets, a second conductorstrip attached to said lamp-block and insulated from said lamp sockets, and one end of each of said strips being extended laterally beyondI the lamp-block, binding-posts carried by the extensions of said strips intermediate the lengths thereof, said lampblock, conductor-strips, and binding-posts, being assembled as a unit, and arranged on the base-block.

3. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block, a pair of lamp-sockets integrally formed with said lamp-block, a conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and supported thereby and electrically connected to both of said sockets, another conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and supported thereby and insulated from the aforesaid conductor-strip` and said lamp sockets, both of said strips being extended laterally from the lamp block above said base-block, and a binding-post borne by each of said conductor-strips, intermediate the laterally extended ends thereof, said lampblock, conductor-strips and binding-posts being' all assembled as a unit, and secured to said base-block.

4. In' an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, 'a lamp-block, a lamp-socket arranged Yon the lamp-block, a conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and electrically Vconnected to the lamp-socket, one end of said llt) tension is attached to the base-block, and a binding-post connected with the laterally extended end of the conductor-strip intermediate said lamp-block and said end portion, said lamp-block, conductor-strip, and binding-post being assembled as a unit, and secured to said base-block.

5. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblook, a lamp-block, lamp-sockets arranged in the lamp-block, conductor-strips attached to and supported by said lamp-block, only one of which strips is in electrical connection with said sockets, one end of each of said strips being extended laterally beyond the lamp-block above said base-block and arranged to be attached to the base-block at the ends of said end portions, and bindingposts carried by the extensions of said strips, intermediate said lamp-block and said ends of said strips thereof, said lamp-block, conductor-strips, and binding-posts being assembled as a unit, and secured to the baseblock. y

6. In an electric illuminating unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block, lamp-sockets arranged on the lamp-block, a substantially L-shaped unitary conductor-strip attached to and supported by the lamp-block and electrically connected to both lamp-sockets, another conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and insulated from said lamp-` sockets and said rst conductor-strip having a binding-screw at one end, and a binding-post mounted upon and borne by each conductorstrip, said lamp-block, conductor-strips, and bindingposts being assembled as a unit, and adapted for arrangement on the base-block.

7. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block, a lamp-socket arranged in the lamp-block, a conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and electrically connected to the lamp-socket, one end of said strip being extended laterially from the lamp-block, and having an o'set portion, and a binding-post arranged on said oit-set portion with the head of its screw arranged in the recess formed thereby, and means arranged on said strip beyond said offset portion to detachably secure said strip to said base-block.

8. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block, a lamp-socket arranged in the lamp-block, a conductor-strip attached to the lamp-block and electrically connected to the lamp-socket, one end of said strip being extended laterally from the lamp-block, and means carried by the extremity of said strip to detachably secure said strip to the base-block, an olf-set portion intermediate the length of said laterial extension, and a binding-post arranged on Copies of this patent may be obtained for said o-set portion with the head of its screw arranged in the recess formed thereby.

9. In an electric illuminating-unit, a baseblock, a lamp-block mounted thereon, lampsockets arranged in said lamp-block, a conductor-strip arranged at the bottom of the lamp-block and extended laterally therefrom, and a terminal arranged at the bottom of each socket, and provided with an endportion by means of which said strip is secured to said base-block, said terminals being extended through the lamp-block, conductor-strip, and base-block, and having nuts arranged upon them for holding the parts assembled.

10. In an electric illuminating unit, a base block, a lamp block, lamp sockets arranged in said lamp block, terminals passing through said sockets and base block, one or more conducting strips electrically connected with said lamp sockets by means of said terminals and extended from said sockets and adapted to support the binding-posts and having end-portions whereby said extensions of said strips are secured to said baseblock, and binding-posts on said strips, all said parts being assembled as a unit and adapted to be arranged upon and detach: ably connected with the base block.

11. An electric illuminating unit including a lamp-block having a pair of lamp sockets integrally formed therewith, a baseblock to which said lamp-block is secured, screws` arranged within said lamp sockets and passing through said lamp and baseblock, by which means said lamp-block is secured to said base-block, a conductor extending between said blocks and making contact with a terminal of said lamp sockets and having a laterally extending portion extending over said base-block and having the end-portion thereof detachably secured to said base-block, binding means on said endportion, a second conductor, insulated from said first conductor and said lamp sockets, extending between said blocks, one end of which projects beyond said lamp block on one side and terminates in binding means, and the other end portion of which projects beyond the other side of said lamp-block and is detachably secured to said base-block, and binding means on said last-named end-portion.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED A. ZIEGLER.

Witnesses:

I-I. B. Davis, B. J. Noms.

ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

